Organ, drums, melodica, voice, acoustic guitar, computer: with these tools, the Rascal Reporters ruin perfectly good Pop melodies and sneeze in the face of Symphonic Jazz-Rock. Again.
*In Memory of Steve Gore, 1958-2009*
To honor Steve Gore, we here at Hebbardesque Records, the label imprint invented by Steve and his longtime friend and band mate Steve Kretzmer, will donate all our proceeds from sales of The Mind Boggles to two charities:
Common Ground of Oakland County, Michigan helps adults and teens who struggle with mental health problems and other day-to-day difficulties. Learn more about them at commongroundhelps.org.
Nuci's Space in Athens, Georgia is a community resource geared specifically toward helping musicians maintain mental and physical well-being. For more information on their programs, visit nuci.org.
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Complex Pop, Witty Prog, and Symphonic Jazz-Rock all in one...
The Mind Boggles is the long-awaited new album by
Michigan's Rascal Reporters. The band's seventh full-length
release, The Mind Boggles hints at the jazz-tinged
psychedelia of Soft Machine and the awkward quirkiness of
The Residents.
*THE MIND BOGGLES is available ONLY as a digital download; there are no "hard copies" for sale.*
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Rascal Reporters - The Mind Boggles
Total time: 65:39
The Rascal Reporters (on this particular occasion) are:
Steve Gore: Keyboards, acoustic guitar, melodica, electric bass guitar, voice, drums, percussion.
Guests:
Steve Kretzmer: Keyboards (5, 12), voice (7)
Mark Harris: Alto saxophone, reverse effects (12)
Michael Sahl: Keyboards (9)
Bob Shirley: Electric bass guitar solo (1)
The Old Man at Sea: Voice (2)
Wife of the Old Man at Sea: Voice (2)
Written and recorded 2004-2008 at Bass Mint Studios and Johnson Studios, Oak Park, Michigan. Engineered and mixed by Steve Gore. Recording tape was used for the production of this album.
Michael Sahl's keyboard parts were recorded in New York City, 2006. Mark Harris' saxophone parts were recorded in Denver, Colorado, 2007. "Therese and Isabelle" is loosely based on the 1827 sea shanty, "Wave Goodbye To Me Love, Forevermore" (public domain). Thanks to Brian for song order suggestions.
For more info:
http://www.reverbnation.com/rascalreporters
Special thanks to: Bill Andrews, Brian Donohoe, Steve Feigenbaum, Greg Gore, Mark Harris, Fred Janosy, David Johnson, Mike Johnson (for "the perfect is the enemy of the good"), Dave Kerman, Udi Koorman, Steve and Paul Kretzmer, Geoff and Kelli Logsdon, Marcello Marinone, Dave Newhouse, our Amish friends in Ontario, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, Owen O'Toole, Michael Sahl, Kimara Sajn, Bob Shirley, and Sean Tonar.
"Help them to learn songs of joy instead of 'burn, baby, burn'" - Paul McCartney
Steve Gore dedicates "The Mind Boggles" to his life-long friend, Steve Kretzmer
Also available by the Rascal Reporters:
Purple Entrapment
Happy Accidents
We're God
The Foul-Tempered Clavier
Ridin' On A Bummer - 20th Anniversary Edition
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My Amish Heart (Gore)
(spoken) Mmmmmm....the Amish. Seven years after the release of this CD, I will be one of them.
Pennsylvania! Pennsylvania! May the sea wash me closer to thee!
Internet? No!
Radio? No!
Bluetooth? No!
Blu-ray? No!
These four "no's" mean yes to me.
My truck is filled up with gas, my heart is filled with their love.
My truck is filled up with gas, my heart is filled with their love.
Once, when I was a boy, I dreamed of shedding all the useless things I'll never need.
Golden sunlight shining on me.... that's all I need.
(spoken) We think of the 'phone as our lifeline for all our needs.
They think of the 'phone as an intrusionfrom the outside world, disrupting their family peace.
Raising up a barn at seventeen... soon, they will return it gratefully.
Sharing meals with those you love... the thought is killing me.
Why did it all take so long to come to me?
Pennsylvania! Pennsylvania!
Touching his face, my new Dad has a kiss for my cheek.
"Bring the oats in"... I was always youngest, but they let me do it anyway.
I don't think the rain will do a single thing to help with our crop. My Dad yells me, "Stop!"
Beautiful day, beautiful day, beautiful day. Soak up the rays, soak up the rays.
Touch a friend's hand... they'll be so glad!
The Orange Jews Of Mourning (Gore)
Ordering his salad, Jimmy caught his waiter looking.
Ranch dressing please, and will you stop staring at me?
Undressing me?
Orange juice and toast, please.
He just said, "After a long pause, then all the pretty jazz will come."
Are you free after clocking?
We could watch a movie or something at my place.
I carefully examined his shy face.
All the thoughts I was thinking were showing in his smiling eyes.
...in his sad, brown eyes.
I get off at 3. Meet me here at 3.
I'll bring a movie we could see... Sal and James Dean.
Here's your check, the juice is on me.
Please write your number and name on the back.... please.
Drivin'.... Drivin'....
Jim, could you turn the lights off, please?
I don't want you seeing me.
Fumbling in the dark all my life is what has made a sad and lonely man of me.
Will you take my shirt off me?
Take me, now. Take me now, please. Fill me up with pretty jazz... soft and tenderly.
Pour your love onto me.
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